Reality television personality Amy Childs has spoken out after her luxurious £1.7 million mansion in Essex was targeted by burglars while she was on a family holiday. The former The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) star, 36, shared her distress on Instagram Stories, expressing gratitude that no one was present during the incident.
Mansion Burgled While Family Away
The burglary occurred while Childs was on vacation with her husband, Billy Delbosq, 43, and their four children. Upon returning, they discovered their home had been ransacked. Childs posted a message thanking her followers for their concern, stating, “Unfortunately, our home was burgled while we were away. We’re devastated, but so thankful that no one was in the house and everyone is safe.” She added that the family was taking time to process the event and appreciated the outpouring of support.
A source close to Childs described the scene as a “total nightmare,” noting that the property was “totally wrecked.” The source also highlighted Childs’ profound relief that her children were not home during the break-in, though she remains shaken by the ordeal. The exact items stolen are still being determined as police and forensic teams have been investigating the scene.
A representative for Childs confirmed the burglary, emphasizing that the primary concern was the safety of the family, stating, “No one was hurt which is the main thing. The police are all over it.”
Celebrity Homes Targeted by Thieves
Amy Childs’ mansion is the latest in a string of high-profile residences to be targeted by burglars. Other celebrities, including Megan McKenna, Michelle Keegan, and Mark Wright, have also had their homes broken into in recent years, highlighting a concerning trend.
Megan McKenna’s Traumatic Burglary Experience
In a separate incident, former TOWIE star Megan McKenna, 33, recently shared details of a terrifying home invasion that prompted her to relocate to Germany. McKenna recounted how three masked intruders armed with machetes and baseball bats broke into her UK home two years ago while she was alone.
McKenna described waking up to the sound of her house shaking, only to find the burglars attempting to breach her bedroom wall. She explained that the intruders had hacked through a false wall leading to her dressing room. “I was such a disorientated mess. I was like, ‘What?’ And then I just knew that it was happening to me, and I was like, ‘Oh my God’,” she recalled on the “Great Company With Jamie Laing” podcast.
Despite being advised by police not to engage, McKenna stated she confronted the burglars to protect her dog. She recounted the harrowing experience of being naked and injured, holding hands with one of the intruders as they took her jewelry. “I was naked. I was talking to this man in a balaclava, and he grabbed my hand and he took jewellery off of me,” she said, describing the scene as resembling a “bloody murder scene.”
The incident left McKenna feeling unsafe in her own home. She noted that although the police apprehended the suspects, they were later released, which further contributed to her decision to move abroad. “I was like, ‘I’m not safe in my own home.’ The police were amazing at the time, but I was then going through IVF to have [her son] Landon, and they wanted me to go on trial. And I just said to them, like, I actually can’t physically do that. Go through it,” she explained.
Security Concerns for Public Figures
The repeated targeting of celebrity homes raises significant concerns about personal security and the effectiveness of protective measures. While law enforcement agencies work to apprehend those responsible, the emotional and financial toll on victims remains substantial. For individuals like Amy Childs and Megan McKenna, the violation of their private space leaves a lasting impact, underscoring the vulnerability that comes with public life.
Childs, known for her television appearances and entrepreneurial ventures, is now focused on recovering from the incident. The extensive damage to her property and the violation of her home serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by high-profile individuals. The ongoing police investigation aims to bring those responsible for the Essex mansion burglary to justice.
